Security
So for me this was overkill. There are literally three layers of security.From the parking lot the first check you lay your bags down and literally step aside with other passengers in a straight line and then out of nowhere some German sheperd looking like dogs come round sniffing the bags for crack or IEDs. The second layer is regular airport like machines and security guards with batons. Here you need to show your ticket and ID. Make sure you arrive at least an hour to be able to print out your ticket if you do not have one already. You will need to key in the phone number of the person who made the booking if you did not do it directly. The third and final layer is ANOTHER aiport screening machine - like the first one is not enough. So you can imagine we had a suitcase diaper bags snack bags and two children it was kinda dramatic. I was like aai even Alcatraz is not this tight.
Terminus:
Both the Nairobi and Mombasa Terminus are so well done. (The Mombasa one a bit better than the Nbi one.) Lots of parking space - you will pay 50shs so you or your driver need to be ready with that, loads of places to sit and wait for the train, there are wheelchair accesible areas - lifts and ramps up to the train.The bathrooms have no toilet paper no baby changing stations - this is a whole topic for another day. I cannot tell you how many places need to install changing stations in Kenya. There needs to be a movement of some kind. I had to change my 7month old on the sink counter. Which is not a big deal but those changing stations would help a bunch.
There is a restaurant you can grab some snacks at the Nbi terminal.
Waiting Lounge - so the first class has its own separate waiting area. It was nice and quiet. I told you its worth the extra cash.
Nairobi terminal is on Mombasa road past the Jomo Kenyatta Airport. A place called Syokimau. Give yourself plenty of time especially with the morning SGR to get there on time to deal with those sniffing dogs.
Mombasa terminal is at a place called Miritini in the North Coast. Again get there on time and try figure out your ride to your destination from the SGR terminus beforehand coz both of these places are kinda far from the city center and there is lots of commotion on exiting with taxi, Uber drivers, tour company drivers etc. looking for their people or any stray person with no plan.
Actual Train
The seats were very spacious. So so comfy - it was better than some flights Lots of legroom, lots of overhead bag space. Oh so about luggage - there is no checking in your bag ati to the final destination. Nope you are stuck with your luggage until Mombasa. So little secret - consolidate your luggage into one suitcase. Less is more. There is a space at the back of the coach for large luggage - of course like our suitcase. But otherwise there is plenty of over head room for large bags, small suitcases etc. The chairs recline which made it even more relaxing.
Snacks / Freebies - So they came round serving tea and coffee. Nothing like drinking real Kenyan tea in transit. You know usually its a lousy black tea bag with semi-hot water and a drop of milk. This was the real deal like the one you drink at your cucu place over Christmas.
As far as freebies that was it lol ;). Some guy beside us joked to the hostess "aai for first class c at least utupatie ka sausage or samosa." Translated as "for first class there should be at least a sausage or a meat pattie." I really have no opinion on this - who am I kidding - some tu biscuits would be nice.
Moral of the story if you have kids or even just for yourself pack snacks you can munch on. Its six hours, the restaurant is mainly pub like so just pack yourself some digestives, marie biscuits, mahamris - whatever the heck you need to juice you up.
NO WIFI - this for me was a kinda bummer - aii ching chong tuekee internet. There is no Wifi on the train so dont board with all your devices ready to start asking for passwords. I meeeean its 2019 - we kinda get the shakes without internet connection. So I think they need to just hook it up with Wifi
TIMING
Its Impeccable. We rode the afternoon train both ways coz the afternoon one is express.Oh another secret if you are looking to go without stoppin stopping. The afternoon one goes direct from Nbi to Msa and vice versa. The morning one stops at a couple of the terminals kina Emali, mtito andei etc etc. So anyway we were scheduled to depart at 2;30pm and sure enough we started boarding at 2:00pm and by 2:30pm we were pulling out of the station. So this is not African timing things its Chinese time and those people are disciplined ki military.Arrive on time is all I am saying. And on time is minimum an hour before.
Noise Level
It was quiet .Well let me be clear. Our ride to Mombasa was so quiet - I think we were actually the loudest with our two children and all their demands - from lollipops to bathroom breaks to needing naps. If you know kids you know how they can be needy. However our ride back to Nairobi we got seats in a coach with a performing team that hosts a comedy show on KTN. I think its called Inspekta Mwala. They are basically comedians. So we literally were with three or four other people who were sitting with this crew who looked like they had done a weekend shoot in Mombasa. They were having a good time lets just say.It made good comic effect and good photo ops but heh it was quiet in the next coaches.
Sights and Sounds
So you will pass Tsavo National Park. There is a side that has more wildlife - the side away from the road. But again dont over expect as though you have paid for a tour of the Masai Mara. This is a favor Mother nature is doing for you building a railway through her land. You will see lots of zebra, hyenas, a ka random elephant or two, some giraffes that have wandered off etc etc. They are kinda far so unless you have those zooming in lens x100 just enjoy the view and dont start insisting on pictures for IG coz again the train is moving fast.
So in short I enjoyed my SGR experience. I would give it a 5star rating. Well thought out, well managed and good service. Great way to head down to the Coast and support growth of our national railway system. Till next time Tembea Kenya!
